Down the Wild Cape Fear: A River Journey Through the Heart of North Carolina

Beginning in central North Carolina, the Cape Fear River flows 200 miles to the Atlantic Ocean, creating habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and at one time serving as a commercial thoroughfare for the communities along its banks. Gerard (creative writing, Univ. of North Carolina, Wilmington; The Patron Saint of Dreams) weaves the history of the Cape Fear River watershed with modern environmental concerns and his own experiences of the river. Much of the book focuses on the Wilmington area's history and current threats to the health of the river and the people, plants, and animals who live near it. The controversial revival of a cement plant upstream and plans for a new port downstream are presented from an environmental impact perspective founded in the author's obvious love of the area and his desire for it to thrive.